Addition of l-cysteine and vitamin e to semen diluent enhances freeze-thawed spermatozoa characteristics in crossbred cattle bulls under subtropical environment

Abstract

Vitamins and amino acids are important trace nutrients that are essential for body growth and reproductive soundness, whereas the lack of these nutrients is directly related to reproductive performance. Hence, the antioxidants agents (L-cysteine and vitamin E) were added into semen diluent and assessed the freezethawed semen quality parameters. The ejaculates were collected from two crossbred groups (Sahiwal × Holstein-Friesian), and (Achai × Jersey) and, split into seven aliquots while extended with three different concentration (5, 7.5 and10 mmol) of L-cysteine diluents and followed by other three concentrations (1.2, 2.4 and 4.8 mmol) of vitamin E diluents and, the last aliquot of semen was extended with control (no additives) to semen diluent. The spermatozoa freeze-thawed quality were assessed and found that total motility, progressive motility, membrane functionality, acrosomal integrity, and viability percentage were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the diluent groups treated with 7.5 mmol of L-cysteine or 4.8 mmol of vitamin E. Correspondingly the DNA integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential percentage were found significantly higher (P < 0.05) in diluent groups treated with 7.5 mmol L-cysteine or 4.8 mmol vitamin E. The juvenile results indicated that L-cysteine and vitamin E improves the freeze-thawed spermatozoa characteristics in crossbred bulls.